VIDEOS

Najmah Messiah works with the More In Common Alliance and is an advocate for B2L through our P.O.W.E.R Council initiative. As a premier partner Najmah has helped B2L usher in multiple initiatives, with a focus on creating pathways and pipelines for BIPOC students in our B2L Direct programs. Hear Najmah's experience at the Melanin and Medicine event.

Cynthia Ricks-Maccotan is the Community Integration Program Manager for the Community Health department at St. Francis Hospital. Cynthia is a long-time advocate for Black and Brown communities in South and Greater King County as well as empowering BIPOC social impact organizations who are looking to disrupt systems. Hear Cynthia's passionate testimony on her experience.

Kylie Sapp is a Youth Training Specialist with Build 2 Lead. As a facilitator, mentor, and direct programming personnel she understand the importance of truly connecting with our youth. Hear Kylie speak more about her experience at the P.O.W.E.R Conference 2.0!

Evan Cook is a current coach, mentor and business owner of restoringmindz, llc. He joined Build 2 Lead to conduct a workshop dedicated to helping youth understand their own leadership potential and discuss the importance of community.

An acronym for Prosperity. Ownership. Wellness. Empowerment. Resiliency,  P.O.W.E.R is apart of Build 2 Lead's overall B2L Legacy initiative. Hear our Executive Director Jimmy Brown, speak about the importance and value of this event and how you can get involved.

Listen to our Executive Director speak about the importance of Melanin and Medicine, his personal "WHY" for increasing healthcare equity, and future plans.

Natorius Ezell works to provide resources to our youth and facilitates a workforce development program entitled “Closing the G.A.P.” Youth involved in this program receive a pre-apprenticeship certification as a “Environmental Specialist.”

Founded in 2020, Build 2 Lead is a non-profit 501c3 organization in Washington State. Here our Executive Director details his passion for youth development, community empowerment, and systems change.

Dr. Veronica Mallet, represents the Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Mallet describes her passion for creating equitable pathways to healthcare careers for BIPOC students and her connection to Build 2 Lead. Thank you Dr. Mallet for your continued commitment to innovation and equity!

Dairyona Thompson is a Lead Youth Training Specialist at Build 2 Lead. Her leadership and overall passion for helping our staff, students, and community members is what drives her every day. Hear Dairyonas Experience at the P.O.W.E.R Conference 2.0!

Sunny Curry is a Healthcare Pathways Specialist with Tacoma Community College. She is truly passionate about connecting BIPOC youth and young adults to non-traditional pathways to healthcare careers. Hear Sunny speak more about her experience at the P.O.W.E.R Conference 2.0!

Hear our Program Manager Natorius Ezell speak about the importance of the P.O.W.E.R Conference 2.0 and his role as an agent of change!

Here is a recap of our 2nd Annual Melanin and Medicine event in South King County at Thomas Jefferson High School.

Dairyona Thompson leads our “Reaching For Greatness” after school enrichment programming. Youth learn a multitude of skills related to leadership development, college readiness, emotional intelligence and basic financial literacy.

Learn about Build 2 Lead and what we do. Our staff talks about the programming and impact we make on the community.